The Fairbourne Family

The girls woke us up today extremely early because my dad got here today. They've been so excited since they saw the staircase. They've also gotten too excited about decorating the tree.

It's cute to see them talk about it all.

There's not a Christmas that Colton has missed with us since I got married to Valentina. He's made it a point to spoil the girls rotten when he comes.

"Gramps is coming today!" Saylor said as she danced around the kitchen while holding a cookie.

"Say, baby, sit down," Val said.

"Okay." She said and took a seat at the little table in the kitchen. "When Gramps comes can we make more cookies?" Saylor asked.

"I'm sure you can, you'll need to ask him though angel," I said to Saylor while I finished washing up my hands.

After a moment, I heard our five-year-old giggle and run down the stairs.

"I saw him, he's here! Gramps is here." She squealed down the stairs.

"Careful caterpillar, careful running down the stairs, you'll get hurt," Val said to our daughter.

"Sorry, but he's here!" She said excitedly as she walked to the front door.

"Okay, okay, hang on a minute," Val said to her. "You're going to get hurt with the door, stand back."

"Okay." She bounced on her toes as Val opened the door.

Before Colton could even walk inside properly, her had both of our girls attacking him in hugs.

"Woah, hello to you both too." He chuckled.

I have to admit, Colton has gotten a little grey since we last saw him. He's even got a little beard now that's full of silver hair and it makes him look both old and sophisticated so it's a good thing I guess.

"Hi, gramps." Saylor was the first to say.

"Hi!" Fleur followed.

"You're both so big now, did you get taller?" He asked Say and she giggled.

"No," she giggled.

He laughed for a moment before scooping them both up into his arms. "And Valentina, how are you?" He asked as he hugged her as best as he could.

"We're good Colton, I hope the drive wasn't too bad with the snow." She asked him.

"It was nothing, got in a bit of traffic but that made the arrival that much better." He smiled.

"Glad to hear that." Val smiled.

"And Letty, how are you?" He asked and hugged me too.

"Good, thankful you're here though, the girls haven't stopped talking about the tree decorating," I said to him.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm here then." He said and the girls both chuckled.

"Where's Kinny?" I asked him.

He set the girls down but still held their hands. "She's decided to spend the holidays with her girlfriend this year," he smiled. "She and Nala are going to Brazil for New Year's and she's spending Christmas with Nala's family."

"Let's hope she comes back not engaged since we all know the last time the Matthews family went to Brazil for New Year's, they came back engaged." I smiled and my wife just smirked a little more.

"Please no, I will do a promise ring but I feel like they both need to be in college before any vows are exchanged." He said and all I could do was laugh.

"Gramps, can we do the tree? Please?" Saylor and Fleur pleaded.

Colton agreed quickly and they led him further into the living room where all the trees and ornaments were.

Valentina turned to me wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me closer to her. "I've been thinking," she started and I smiled.

"I love when you think." I smiled at her.

"What if we have a night out, a date night." She said.

"Like us alone tonight? That's the greatest idea you've ever had." I said.

"But a proper night," she said and I tilted my head at her in question. "Like we used to do when we first started dating." She said and I smiled because well, those were the days for us.

"I'm liking this idea."

"Good because I know a place we can go, it's beautiful and you'll like it a lot." She said. "With that in mind, I'm going to come pick you up at seven so be ready. Something fancy, since it's more of a fancy place." She pressed a fleeting kiss to my lips.

"Pick me up, baby, we live here now—as in together and have been for almost six years," I said to her.

"I know but we deserve the initial excitement again, so I'm gonna go to Stella's place for the afternoon and I'll be back to pick you up at seven." She said.

My stomach swarmed with butterflies of excitement. It's been years since Val and I have had a date night where we pick each other up and fill that excitement spark so I was excited, to say the least.

"Okay," I kissed her. "I'll see you tonight then."

She smiled at me and then walked off to talk to our girls and say goodbye to them.

I felt all giddy for the night. I felt like it was my first date with Val all over again.